Dean of Academic Affairs

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is looking for a Dean of Academic Affairs who is eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth.

We are particularly interested in, and give preference to candidates that will demonstrate a vision to create and nurture great initiatives that promote our mission in the context of their jobs, and who wish to foster a culture of dialogue that, with deep respect for all people, support the search for meaning and purpose in the pursuit of excellence.

The Dean of Academic Affairs is a high-level academic administrator who supports the Provost in coordinating all academic activities of Saint Mary’s University. The Dean of Academic Affairs oversees all reporting units within Academic Affairs and works collaboratively with all school deans to advance the academic mission of the University. The Dean provides leadership for academic policies and planning, curriculum, program life-cycle management, instructional support, assessment of student learning and teaching, faculty development, as well as assisting in the hiring, promotion, annual and tenure reviews, leadership development for all faculty, which include tenured, tenure-track, professional faculty, course contracted faculty and, and academic administrators.

This position supports the Provost in matters related to academic affairs, including, primarily:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Registrar, Bachelor’s Completion Programs, Online Programs, as well as Curriculum and Development, which encompasses Assessment, Educational Technology, Faculty Development (CELT), and Learning Design.
• Develop and further strengthen the Bachelor’s Completion Program.
• Coordinate and strengthen the relationship with our OPM and works toward greater success of our online programming.

Also, supports the Provost, as assigned, in matters such as:

• Lead the processes and policies related to hiring of faculty (including the HLC qualification process), as well as new faculty orientation, professional development, strategies for faculty retention, annual reviews, and reviews for promotion. Also provides oversight on all faculty contracts to ensure consistency and a central point of contact.
• Assist the Provost as needed working with the Faculty Council and all faculty governance structures, department chairs, associate deans and deans, as well as others across campus to discuss, develop, resolve conflict and address opportunities that directly impact the University’s faculty.
• Support the implementation of the faculty handbooks, ensure faculty personnel processes, including faculty appeals and grievances, and work so that allegations of faculty misconduct are implemented consistently and equitably at the university.
• Work with academic leadership and faculty governance structures to create, review, interpret, enforce, and ensure consistent implementation of academic policies and procedures.
• Work with faculty to define, support, implement and evaluate expectations for teaching, service, and inquiry/scholarship for the various faculty roles at the University. Coordinate the assessment of all faculty throughout their work at the University, including but not limited to course contracted, professional, tenure-track, and tenured faculty.
• Work with the Registrar in the creation, maintenance, implementation and interpretation of the college and SGPP catalog.
• Provide leadership of identification, implementation, and to ensure effective teaching strategies and technologies in all program teaching modalities.
• Coordinate and provide oversight for the development and assessment of academic programs and curricula. This involves the application of the Life-Cycle Model through the Academic Program Review and the Annual Program Planning Process. 
• Serve as the IRB Administrator for the University’s IRB. The IRB Administrator provides administrative oversight through the authority of the President and Provost of the IRB, maintaining policies, the Standard Operating Procedures, and making recommendations to the Institutional Official, the Provost, regarding the IRB.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Enrollment Management to support the work of the registrar, academic advising, institutional research and reporting, and the improvement of retention and graduation rates.
• Develop and execute a detailed strategic plan for the growth and development of online initiatives and programs.
• Promote and support the infusion of character education and virtue formation into programs, curriculum, and teaching at the University along with supporting character education and virtue formation into all aspects of faculty work.
• Work with the Director of Accreditation and Compliance, ensure that Saint Mary’s meets HLC accreditation standards, assist in the process of preparing accreditation reports and work with faculty and academic leaders to address any deficiencies identified in the accreditation process.
• Manage the budget, oversee and approve all expenditures related to third party providers, allocate resources to support academic programs, and assist with projecting.
• Participate in University events, celebrations, graduations, and serve on University task forces, committees, and other entities as the need arises.
• Coordinate special projects as assigned by the Provost.

Essential Skills and Functions:

• An appreciation of shared governance and evidence of a strong ability to work effectively and collaboratively with the President, Provost, Deans, faculty, administrators, staff, as well as other constituent groups and partners.
• Strong and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and multicultural literacy.
• Working knowledge of emerging technologies and the effective application of instructional technologies to enhance student learning.
• Understanding of contemporary issues in higher education and its impact on graduate, non-traditional and online learners.
• Fiscal discipline and appreciation for the proper stewardship of resources.
• Leadership abilities in managing multiple direct reports, including ongoing evaluation and professional development of faculty and administrators.

Education and Experience:

Required: 

• An earned doctorate or other earned terminal degree or ABD.
• Academic background consistent with the rank of professor, as demonstrated by a record of teaching, scholarly publications, and/or creative accomplishments that exhibit a commitment to academic excellence.
• 7 years of demonstrated success in academic administration and upper level leadership in environments similar in size, scope, and complexity to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
• Familiarity with mission-based institutes of higher education, and how this drives and informs all aspects of the university or college.
• Managed significant responsibility in fiscal planning for academic units, including allocating resources effectively and efficiently among competing needs. 
• Demonstrated understanding of strategic planning, assessment of program effectiveness, and development of policy to enhance academic units within the university and with national accrediting bodies.
• Competent financial literacy with fiscal skills and business acumen. 
• Understanding and commitment to teaching and applied research in a regional university.
• Familiarity with online learning and partnerships from a programmatic, pedagogic and academic perspective.

Preferred: 

• 10+ years of experience in a higher education setting and/or held position of dean of a school.

Apply online at https://hive.smumn.edu/about/offices/human-resources/employment-opportunities and please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.